Ohio State routs Maryland 62-3

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. — J.T. Barrett accounted for four touchdowns, Curtis Samuel scored three TDs and No. 6 Ohio State enjoyed another lopsided victory, 62-3 over Maryland on Saturday.

Coming off a 62-3 rout of then-No. 10 Nebraska, the Buckeyes led 21-3 after the first quarter and 45-3 at halftime. Unlike last week, this blowout was no surprise because it came against a struggling team with quarterback issues and a porous defense.

Ohio State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten, No. 5 CFP) has won three straight to remain in contention for the Big Ten title and, more importantly, a berth in the College Football Playoff.

Maryland (5-5, 2-5) has been outscored 121-6 over the last two weeks and given up 163 points during its three-game losing streak.

With Barrett and Samuel leading the way, the Buckeyes eliminated any potential drama by scoring touchdowns on three of their four possessions in the first quarter.

Samuel got things started with a 2-yard touchdown run. Barrett then took it in from 4 and added a 36-yard TD pass to Samuel.

In between, the Buckeyes punted for the first time two weeks. Also, backup quarterback Caleb Rowe led the Terps to a field goal. But even that was disappointing because Maryland failed to get into the end zone after a 37-yard completion produced a first down at the Ohio State 3.

Rowe took over for Perry Hills, who was injured at the end of Maryland’s second drive. Rowe proved ineffective and was replaced in the second half by true freshman Tyrrell Pigrome.

Barrett made it 28-3 with a 1-yard run early in the second quarter and Samuel got his third touchdown around right end from the 5.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer replaced Barrett during a third-quarter drive that ended with a TD for a 55-3 lead. Barrett ran for two touchdowns, threw two scoring passes and finished 18 for 27 for 253 yards.

Ohio State: The Buckeyes are gaining momentum heading into the most important part of the season. The offense has been unstoppable over the past two weeks and the defense limited Maryland to 176 yards and 10 first downs. With one defeat, Ohio State can’t afford to slip up as it heads toward a Nov. 26 showdown with No. 2 Michigan, the undefeated East Division leader.

Maryland: After opening 4-0, the Terrapins are now a sub-.500 team still in search of the sixth win needed to become bowl eligible. Maryland can’t seem to keep Hills healthy and has come unglued defensively this month.

UP NEXT

Ohio State travels to Michigan State, which whipped Rutgers 49-0 Saturday. It’s the Buckeyes’ final tuneup before the regular-season finale at home against Michigan.

Maryland faces Nebraska on the road in a matchup of the Buckeyes’ last two victims.